Former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin will release a memoir in September called Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense. Manchin’s book tour will begin in Morgantown Friday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at West Virginia University. The book will be released Sept 16. Manchin, 77, left the Senate last year after deciding not to run for re-election. He changed his registration from Democrat to Independent during his final year in office.
Konnor Griffin, the 19 year old #1 pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in last year's draft, will likely start for Altoona Tuesday at 6 p.m. Griffin has scored 97 runs this year, stolen 59 bases, hit 16 home runs, and is batting .332. He will be the youngest player to suit up for Altoona in its history, surpassing Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata with that distinction. Griffin can play shortstop and outfield.
On August 17th, 2025 the Cumberland Police Department served a bench warrant on Christopher Lynn Cage. The warrant was issued as a result of Cage violating conditions of probation on January 23, 2025 for an original charge of acting as a contractor without a license. Cage was placed under arrest and transported to District Court where he was presented before a District Court Commissioner. He was later remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center without bond. NAME: Christopher Lynn Cage AGE: 39 Cumberland, MD CHARGE: Violation of Probation
The federal government is allowing the South Fork Coal Company to haul coal through West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, despite a lawsuit arguing they do not have valid rights to do so. Coal and equipment have been hauled through the area since 2022. Olivia Miller with the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy says advocates will continue legal action, and local communities remain opposed to mining activity in the region… “There were over 2,300 public comments opposing South Fork Coal Company’s valid existing rights determination. So we need to speak up again and continue to demand accountability.”
Maryland’s lottery, casinos, sportsbooks, and fantasy sports combined to bring in over a billion dollars in tax revenue for state programs and services in Fiscal Year 2025. The Lottery had its fourth-best year in its 52-year history, with sales of $2.6 billion dollars in scratch-off games and tickets. Lottery players won $1.7 billion dollars in the fiscal year. The state’s six casinos brought in $831 million in tax revenue, and sports books contributed $89 million in taxes to the state.
Local resident Dana Tinnen recently approached the Cumberland City Council about the search for a new police chief. Tinnen says this is an opportunity to diversify the force and when choosing someone, a minority candidate should be a focus… “I think this would go a long way in building our police force and diversifying it. When you see a Black face, an Asian face, or a Latino face, those kids and those youth will have someone to look at, role models. And it could possibly change the face of our police force to diversify it.” Mayor Ray Morriss…
After 48 years, Flowerland on Virginia Avenue is under new ownership. Now-retired owner Tim Wotring told WCBC the transition to the new owner has been smooth. He said local wedding planner Lauren Long came to the shop after he announced his retirement… “I”ve had other people come in and ask me about the business, but Lauren – I just stuck with her. She had a very ‘go get ‘em’ attitude which is what you want in a business. New owner Long says she will keep the same quality of flowers for funerals, hospitals and churches, and is adding…
As work on developing their next comprehensive plan continues, the City of Cumberland will be having a meeting to focus specifically on neighborhoods. City Historic Planner Ruth Davis-Rogers says a meeting at City Hall on August 21 at 6pm will be for neighborhood groups and residents to express their thoughts on the future of their parts of town… “What we’re going to do is just have one meeting where we can talk about the various neighborhoods. And this isn’t to talk about, ‘my trash is picked up too early or oh, there’s dogs barking,’ because that’s really not a…
The City of Frostburg’s second annual event called “The Scoop” takes place on Wednesday at City Place on Water Street. Starting at 7pm, city staff and elected officials will give updates on what’s going on in the community. Director of Community Development Bethany Fife says its one way the city honors its commitment to transparency and engagement… “It’s a great way for the public to get information and to have their voice heard about some of the things going on, what are they excited about, what are they hesitant about. The Frostburg Freeze will be there serving free…
One of the casualties of the Big Beautiful Bill is the SNAP Ed program. Run locally by the University of Maryland Extension Service, SNAP Ed offers nutrition education to low-income families and SNAP participants. The federal government cut funding for the program and approximately 70 people across Maryland will lose their jobs October 1. Program Director Lisa Lachenmyer said the education program provides needed information… “Nutrition education is really valuable. We see a lot of chronic disease; we see a lot of obesity and so it is something that is a really necessary, impactful skill and information that will…
